April 10, 2014

A's Demote Closer Jim Johnson After 8 Games: Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Jim Johnson, acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles to be the A's closer this season, has been demoted from the job. Manager Bob Melvin said Thursday morning he's "going to give Jim a break." ESPN's David Schoenfeld notes, "Johnson has faced 26 batters so far and 16 of them have reached base.

Johnson had 9 blown saves last year - there were times he seemed tenuously holding on to his job as it is. That contract, particularly from the A's, was kinda nutty.

He reminds me a lot of Todd Jones' career where he certainly showed he could close but never was steady enough to give you the confidence to think he'll ride through rough patches and come out the other side.